Battle of the Most Bizarre

Submitted by Jessica Dillard

When you think of endangered animals what is the first animal that pops into your mind? It's most likely a panda, a penguin, or another cute and cuddly animal. But what about the not-so-cute animals like the Wolffish or the Uaraki? 

Throughout April, visitors at SF and HP had the opportunity to vote on their favorite “Most Bizarre” animal. The competition included 8 animals from 4 categories, with the Giant Asian Softshell Turtle coming out on top as champion for SF and the Red Handfish as HP’s champion. 

I was inspired to create this engagement program after reading an article on The Ugly Animal Preservation Society’s “World’s Ugliest Animal” competition (https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24040130) held in 2012. The unofficial title was bestowed upon the Blobfish which has become the mascot for the Society. The Society (uglyanimalsoc.com) was created by a group of British comedians “to raise the profile of some of nature's more aesthetically challenged creatures.”

All of the animals are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (https://www.iucnredlist.org/) and have a status of Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. 

Here are the contenders:

Red Handfish - Critically Endangered

• Native to Tasmania, Australia.
• Arguably one of the rarest marine fish species in the world, with an adult population at about 100 in 2019.
• They use their human-hand-like fins to walk across the seabed rather than swim.
• Conservation Organization: Handfish Conservation Project (handfish.org.au)

Northern Wolffish - Endangered

• Native to the North Atlantic Sea
• Can grow up to 7.5 feet long, weigh up to 30-40 pounds, and live up to 20 years.
• They do not have a bladder causing them to keep swimming at all times or else they would sink to the bottom!
• Conservation Organization: Ocean Conservancy (https://oceanconservancy.org) 

Aye-Aye - Endangered

• Native to Madagascar, Africa.
• According to local lore, Aye-ayes bring bad luck and death, and must be killed on sight which has led to their endangered status.
• They were originally classified as rodents due to their ever growing incisors which is rare in primates.
• Conservation Organization: Lemur Conservation Network (https://www.lemurconservationnetwork.org) 

Bald-Headed Uakari - Vulnerable

• Native to Brazil & Peru
• Its scarlet red face is due to the lack of skin pigments and capillaries that fun under its skin on their face.
• They wag their tails when they are excited or nervous, just like dogs!
• Conservation Organization:Wildlife Conservation Society Peru (https://peru.wcs.org/en-us) 

Titicaca Water Frog - Endangered

• Native to Bolivia & Peru
• It is the largest fully aquatic frog in the world, reaching up to 20 inches long and weighing up to 2 pounds.
• They do “pushups” to allow more water to pass through their folds to increase oxygen absorption.
• Conservation Organization: Bolivian Amphibian Initiative (https://www.bolivianamphibian.org) 

Asian Giant Softshell Turtle - Critically Endangered

• Native to Southeast Asia, India, China, and Bangladesh
• They spend most of their lives buried and motionless with only their eyes and mouth above the sand.
• They are the largest freshwater turtle measuring up to 6 feet long!
• Conservation Organization: Asian Turtle Program (https://asianturtleprogram.org) 

Southern Ground-Hornbill - Vulnerable

• Native to Southern Africa
• This bird can make loud calls that are often mistaken for a lion’s roar.
• They can run up to 18 miles per hour!
• Conservation Organization: Mabula Ground Hornbill Project (https://ground-hornbill.org.za) 

California Condor - Critically Endangered

• Native to California.
• Their bald head keeps them clean while feeding on carrion.
• They are the largest land birds in North America with a wingspan of 9.5 feet.
• Conservation Organization: The Peregrine Fund (https://peregrinefund.org) 

My personal favorite is the Red Handfish, which is described by the Handfish Conservation Project as “a toad [dipped] in some brightly colored paint, [after hearing] a sad story, and [forced] to wear gloves two sizes too big.” I was also rooting for the Hornbill after seeing the curious bird at Zoo Atlanta in December.

HP had a few young patrons submit some artwork of their favorite contenders!

You can see more photos and the materials, including facts about animal conservation, used in the Photo URL in the program recaps for SF and HP on CMT.